Congress Adjourns For Spring Break Without Voting On Supplemental Funding For Zika Response

Mar 24, 2016

CQ HealthBeat: Appropriators Split on Zika Response, CDC Gun-Violence Research
“Democrats could eventually persuade Republicans in Congress to agree to provide some extra funds for addressing the Zika virus, according to a top House appropriator. House Republicans are still evaluating whether extra funds are needed to combat Zika, a mosquito-borne virus linked to birth defects, said Tom Cole, R-Okla., the chairman of the House Labor-HHS-Education Appropriations subcommittee, after a Wednesday hearing. He left open the possibility that extra funds could be provided eventually. … Lawmakers appear to have swung away from a more freehanded approach to providing supplemental funds in the middle of budget cycles…” (Young, 3/23).

NBC News: Congress Goes Home for Easter Break Without Paying for Zika Fight
“Congress took off from Washington Wednesday afternoon without voting to appropriate any of the $1.9 billion the Obama administration has asked for to fight Zika and leaving top health officials feeling a little desperate…” (Fox, 3/23).

STAT: Congress just went on spring break without voting on emergency Zika measure
“…The adjournment followed appeals from the House minority leader, Representative Nancy Pelosi, and other top Democrats for Congress to remain in Washington for a vote on the measure. Republicans support further efforts to deal with Zika but are insisting that the Obama administration first use funds that have already been appropriated…” (Nather, 3/23).